Inaugural Payload Asia Awards 2012 Winners Announced!

Published on 6 September 2012

The hard work and many successes of the air cargo community were celebrated last night at the inaugural Payload Asia Awards 2012 which honoured the very best in the industry at a spectacular gala dinner and awards ceremony held at the Pan Pacific Hotel in Singapore. Guest of honour at the event was the Director-General of Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore (CAAS), Mr Yap Ong Heng.

Among the 16 awards given out was a special Editor's Choice Award which saw Michael Steen, chief commercial officer of Atlas Air Worldwide honoured with Personality of the Year, for his work championing the industry as chairman of both The International Air Cargo Association (TIACA) and the Global Air Cargo Advisory Group (GACAG).

Turkish Cargo took home the Overall Carrier of the Year award, while three Asian carriers scooped up the remaining top cargo carrier awards including AirAsia Cargo, for Rising Star Cargo Carrier of the Year, China Southern Cargo for Combination Carrier of the Year and Korean Air Cargo which was awarded Maindeck/Specialist Carrier of the Year. Singapore Changi Airport took home the Airport of the Year award.

Speaking at the awards gala Mr Yap expressed his happiness that the awards were held in Singapore and noted the currently challenging nature of the global air cargo market, adding that the overall outlook for air cargo remains optimistic, especially in the Asia-Pacific which is projected to grow faster than the rest of the world.

"The stronger air cargo growth projected for the Asia-Pacific is in line with the shift in economic gravity to Asia – the next economic powerhouse. The rising affluence of Asia's rapidly growing middle-class and the increasing business activities in Asia will drive more air cargo movements within the region," Mr Yap said.

While noting that FedEx Express has just begun operations from its new Regional Hub at Singapore's Changi Airport, he said it is important that companies involved in the air cargo business continue to adapt to change and pursue excellence.

"Companies must therefore be nimble and innovative to further grow and achieve even more. This includes enhancing your service offerings, re-designing your processes and using technologies to raise competitiveness, productivity and service standards. Greater collaboration and tie-ups are also essential to bring the air cargo industry forward in meeting the demands of the future," said Mr Yap.

"The Payload Asia Awards recognise companies that have differentiated themselves in terms of market adeptness, innovation, and excellence in performance and strategy. My heartiest congratulations to all the winners tonight. I hope that the awards will serve as an encouragement to the industry to pursue even greater heights."

The awards were presented during a gala dinner attended by 130 members of the air cargo fraternity and hosted by Payload Asia, part of the Contineo Media group.

Award Winners:

Overall Carrier Of The Year – Turkish Cargo
Combination Carrier of the Year – China Southern Cargo
Maindeck/Specialist Carrier of the Year – Korean Air Cargo
Rising Star Carrier of the Year – AirAsia Cargo
ACMI/Charter Operator of the Year – Maximus Air
Logistics Provider of the Year – CEVA Logistics
Express Operator of the Year – DHL Express
Freight Forwarder of the Year – Kerry Logistics
Airport of the Year – Singapore Changi Airport
Ground Handler of the Year – Hong Kong Air Cargo Terminals Limited (Hactl)
GSA of the Year – Air Logistics Group
IT Provider of the Year – IBS Software Services
Corporate Social Responsibility Award – Singapore Airlines Cargo

Editor's Choice Awards:

Personality of the Year – Michael Steen, The International Air Cargo Association (TIACA) and the Global Air Cargo Advisory Group (GACAG).
Marketing Award of the Year – Virgin Atlantic Cargo
Media Award of the Year – Emirates SkyCargo

About the awards:

The annual awards ceremony is organised by Payload Asia magazine, a specialist air cargo publication focusing on the Asia-Pacific, Indian Subcontinent and Middle East regions that provides accurate and up-to-date news and information on the air cargo industry and related sectors. The top three finalists for each of the awards were selected by an expert judging panel which evaluated 78 nominations. This was followed by a vote cast by over 25,500 readers to determine the winners in each of the categories. All results were audited by independent auditing agency Grant Thornton.